Feasibility of a Smart Grid on Nantucket

Nantucket residents pay uncommonly high electricity rates because delivery of electricity to the island is costly and demand for it fluctuates widely by season. Accordingly, the goal of this report is to assess the feasibility of various smart grid scenarios and conservation initiatives that could reduce the cost and consumption of electricity island-wide. Based on our analysis of the associated benefits and costs, we concluded that a smart grid could conservatively save island residents up to $500,000 annually, and pay for itself in only five years. Understanding the pattern of use on Nantucket and the potential of smart grids, we recommend seeking further consultation

Engineering Performance of Water Mist Fire Protection Systems with Antifreeze Agents

The use of antifreeze in a water mist fire suppression system offers a potential alternative to the current applications of these systems in subfreezing environments. This study investigates the use of antifreeze of various chemical compositions and concentrations in water mist systems by evaluating variables for spray characteristics, risk of system failure, and interactions of the discharged agent with the fire. Extensive testing and analysis demonstrated that no antifreeze solution behaves ideally with respect to key study variables; however some antifreeze solutions are potentially suitable at certain discharge pressures and solution concentrations. This testing provides the baseline information for the selection of such an antifreeze for use in water mist systems